Polish Opening: Queenside Defense
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Statistics from Lichess
77,029 games: White 47.9% / Draw 6.8% / Black 45.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 47,95048K | ||
| 16,18716K | ||
| 9,9259,925 | ||
| 2,5132,513 | ||
| 145145 | ||
| 7575 | ||
| 5353 | ||
| 4747 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 27, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.02 The position is about equal
Best play: 4. a4 axb5 5. axb5 Rxa1 6. Bxa1 d5 7. e3 c6 8. c4 Qa5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Polish Opening: Queenside Defense (ECO A00, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Polish Opening, reached after 1. b4 e6 2. Bb2 Nf6 3. b5 a6 (3 moves).
In 77,029 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.9%, Black 45.2% and 6.8% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. a4, in 62% of those games.
It continues into one named variation, Polish Opening: Rooks Swap Line.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Polish Opening: Queenside Defense
The most played answer, 4. a4, also scores best for White: 52.3%, with White winning 48.4% and Black 43.8% of 48K games. Of the main answers, 4. e3 scores lowest: 47.6%. Stockfish's first choice is also 4. a4.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Variations (1)
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Polish Opening: Queenside Defense (A00)”. Lichess data as of 27 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/polish-opening-queenside-defense